The seven members of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Redistricting Subcommittee listened to residents of Aiken County and their desires for the state’s once every 10 years redistricting plan. The session Thursday night at Aiken Technical College was the last of 10 meetings the subcommittee held around the state.
Speaking virtually, Committee Chairman Luke Rankin (R-Horry) said the bipartisan subcommittee, made up of four Republicans and three Democrats, represents all parts of the Palmetto State.
“The goal in the formation of this subcommittee was to represent the state, both geographically and politically. We’re here to hear from you about what you believe is important,” he said. “We want to learn from you what you think your communities of interest are.”
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The subcommittee heard from 15 residents, either in person or virtually. Twelve were women, three men; ten Caucasian and five people of color.
Eugene White, of the Aiken branch of the NAACP, was among the citizens who asked the subcommittee to take into consideration of communities of interest when drawing the districts.
“What we ask the subcommittee not to do is define a community of interest based on political party, political office or information related to incumbents,” White said. “Respect the jurisdictional boundaries of counties, municipalities and districts that will allow the true communities of interest to address the issues of concern that they face, such as gentrification, food scarcity, at-large districts and senseless crime.”
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William Collins, a 20-year Navy veteran, said gerrymandering is wrong.
“The United States is an idea. An idea whose principles are based on the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. One person, one vote. Competitive elections. Free for all of real democracy. I look at that map and it’s absurd. You folks have to fix that.”
Jackie Brown, speaking virtually from McCormick County, said redistricting often dilutes the communities of interest.
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She said, “Neighbors who live right across the street from each other are in different senatorial districts, different house districts. As much as possible, if this committee could keep in mind those groups and jurisdictions that go together.”
This subcommittee is responsible for redrawing Congressional districts and state senate districts. The South Carolina House Judiciary Committee Redistricting Ad Hoc Committee chaired by Rep. Chris Murphy (R-Dorchester) has 10 meetings scheduled, beginning Sept. 8 in Myrtle Beach. The Aiken meeting is set for 6 – 8 p.m. on Sept. 20 at the Aiken Technical College Amphitheater. The full list is available here.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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